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Abstract:

A method for facilitating social networking includes receiving and
storing personal information from a member of a website, which includes a
publicly displayed identifier such as that individual's vehicle license
plate number. An advertisement suitable for public display (e.g. a bumper
sticker) is used to advertise to other individuals that the first
individual is a member of the website. A query is received at the
website, via a network, from a second individual in accordance with the
advertisement; the query includes the publicly displayed identifier. The
method further includes receiving contact information from the second
individual; providing to the second individual at least a portion of the
personal information of the first individual; providing the second
individual with the opportunity to send his/her contact information to
the first individual; and providing the first individual with the
opportunity to make a social networking connection with the second
individual.

Claims:

1. A method for facilitating social networking, comprising the steps of:
receiving personal information from a first individual, said information
including a publicly displayed identifier associated with the first
individual; storing the personal information, of which some of the
personal information being retrievable using the publicly displayed
identifier; delivering, or making available to the first individual an
advertisement suitable for public display; receiving from a second
individual a query in accordance with said advertisement, the query
including the publicly displayed identifier; receiving contact
information from the second individual, assuming said contact information
has not already been received; retrieving the personal information of the
first individual in accordance with the query; providing to the second
individual at least a portion of the personal information of the first
individual; transmitting to the first individual a message reporting the
query from the second individual; and depending upon the first
individual's review of the second individual's contact information, the
first individual may make a social networking connection with the second
individual, wherein said steps are performed using a computing device
configured to communicate with the first individual and with the second
individual via a network.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the publicly displayed
identifier is a license plate number on a vehicle owned or operated by
the first individual.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement includes the
name, initials, or logo of a website to which the first individual
submits said personal information and the second individual submits said
query.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein said advertisement is a sticker
suitable for display on the vehicle.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said delivering step further
comprises causing the sticker to be sent to the first individual in a
physical form, advertising to other individuals that the first individual
is a member of the website.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting to
the first individual a message reporting the query.

7. A method according to claim 1, depending upon the first individual's
review of the second individual's contact information, providing the
second individual with the opportunity to make a social networking
connection with the first individual via the means provided for on the
website.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
establishing a member profile for the first individual in accordance with
the received personal information stored in said storing step;
establishing a member profile for the second individual in accordance
with the received contact information; and storing the member profiles,
wherein the member profile for the second individual is established prior
to providing to the second individual personal information of the first
individual.

9. A method for facilitating social networking, comprising the steps of:
receiving personal information from a first individual; assigning an
identifier to the first individual; storing the personal information, the
personal information being retrievable using the identifier; delivering
to the first individual an advertisement suitable for public display;
receiving from a second individual a query in accordance with said
advertisement, where the advertisement as displayed includes said
identifier or information associated therewith, the query including said
identifier or information associated therewith; receiving contact
information from the second individual; retrieving the personal
information of the first individual in accordance with the query;
providing to the second individual at least a portion of the personal
information of the first individual; transmitting to the first individual
a message reporting the query from the second individual; and depending
upon the first individual's review of the second individual's contact
information, the first individual may make a social networking connection
with the second individual via the means provided for on the website,
wherein said steps are performed using a computing device configured to
communicate with the first individual and with the second individual via
a network.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the advertisement includes the
name of a website to which the first individual submits said personal
information and the second individual submits said query.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said advertisement is a
sticker suitable for display on a vehicle owned or operated by the first
individual.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said delivering step further
comprises causing the sticker to be sent to the first individual in a
physical form, advertising to other individuals that the first individual
is a member of the website.

13. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of
transmitting to the first individual a message reporting the query.

14. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
establishing a member profile for the first individual in accordance with
the received personal information stored in said storing step;
establishing a member profile for the second individual in accordance
with the received contact information; and storing the member profiles,
wherein the member profile for the second individual is established prior
to providing to the second individual personal information of the first
individual.

15. A system comprising: a server configured to communicate with a first
individual and a second individual over a network; receive personal
information from a first individual, said information including a
publicly displayed identifier associated with the first individual; cause
delivery, or making available to the first individual of an advertisement
suitable for public display; receive from a second individual a query in
accordance with said advertisement, the query including the publicly
displayed identifier; receive contact information from the second
individual; provide to the second individual at least a portion of the
personal information of the first individual; transmit to the first
individual a message reporting the query from the second individual; and
depending upon the first individual's review of the second individual's
contact information, provide the second individual with the opportunity
to make a social networking connection with the first individual via the
means provided for on the website.

16. A system according to claim 15, further comprising a storage device,
and wherein the server is configured to store the personal information of
the first individual, the personal information being retrievable using
the publicly displayed identifier; and retrieve the personal information
of the first individual in accordance with the query.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the server is configured to
establish a member profile for the first individual in accordance with
the received personal information stored in said storing step; establish
a member profile for the second individual in accordance with the
received contact information; and store the member profiles, wherein the
member profile for the second individual is established prior to
providing to the second individual personal information of the first
individual.

18. A system according to claim 16, wherein the publicly displayed
identifier is a license plate number on a vehicle owned or operated by
the first individual.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein said advertisement is a
sticker suitable for display on the vehicle.

20. A system according to claim 16, wherein the server hosts a website
for communicating with the first individual and the second individual,
and to which the first individual submits said personal information and
the second individual submits said query; and the advertisement includes
the name, initials, or logo of the website.

Description:

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] This disclosure relates to social networking, and more particularly
to a social networking or dating site which is associated with an
individual's publicly available identification (e.g. a vehicle license
plate number(s) or other alpha numeric display (identifier) that may
either be selected by the individual or randomly assigned to their
vehicle).

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Websites where individuals may make personal connections (generally
called social networking sites or dating sites) have become popular
recently, particularly with widespread use of portable devices for
accessing the Web. A member of a social networking site may make contact
with another person they might not have met otherwise.

[0003] An individual driving a vehicle is generally anonymous; although
the vehicles' plate number is on public display, another individual
generally cannot discern the driver's name. Furthermore, one driver on
the road cannot personally meet and greet another driver as they might if
they were both on foot. It is desirable to implement a system where
seeing an individual driving a vehicle can lead to social networking with
that individual.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] In accordance with the disclosure, a system and method are provided
for facilitating social networking, particularly between individuals on
the road in different vehicles.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a method for
facilitating social networking includes receiving and storing personal
information from a first individual to create a profile (a member of a
website); this information includes a publicly displayed identifier
associated with the first individual, such as that individual's vehicle
license plate number. An advertisement suitable for public display (e.g.
a bumper sticker) is delivered to the first individual, or available via
a retail channel, which advertises to other individuals that the first
individual is a member of the website. A query is received at the
website, via a network, from a second individual (a contact person) in
accordance with the advertisement; the query includes the publicly
displayed identifier. The method further includes receiving contact
information from the second individual; retrieving the personal
information of the first individual (e.g. at a minimum, confirming that
the first individual is a member of the website) in accordance with the
query; and providing to the second individual at least a portion of the
personal information of the first individual depending upon the first
individual's privacy settings with the website. This method typically is
performed using a computing device (a server hosting the website)
configured to communicate with the first individual and with the second
individual via the network. Further, depending upon the first
individual's review of the contact person's information, the first
individual may choose to make a social networking connection with the
contact person via the means provided for on the website.

[0006] The method may also include establishing a member profile for the
second individual in accordance with the received contact information;
and storing the profile. The member profile for the second individual is
advantageously established prior to providing to the second individual
personal information of the first individual.

[0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the received
personal information does not include a publicly displayed identifier,
and an identifier may either be selected by the individual or randomly
assigned to their vehicle.

[0008] The personal information of the first individual (e.g. at a
minimum, confirming that the first individual is a member of the website)
is retrievable using the identifier. An advertisement suitable for public
display is delivered to the first individual, or available via a retail
channel, advertising to other individuals that the first individual is a
member of the website; the advertisement as displayed includes the
identifier or information associated therewith. A query is received from
a second individual, a query in accordance with the advertisement; the
query includes the displayed identifier or information associated
therewith.

[0009] According to a further aspect of the invention, a system for
facilitating social networking includes a server configured to perform
the above-described functions; the server hosts a website whose name,
initials, and/or logo is on the advertisement, so that the first
individual and second individual access the website and submit personal
information thereto.

[0010] The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred features
of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better
understand the detailed description of the disclosure that follows.
Additional features of the disclosure will be described hereinafter that
form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. Those skilled in the
art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception
and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure
and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of
the disclosure in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a bumper sticker used by a
subscriber to a social networking website in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1B schematically illustrates a bumper sticker used by a
subscriber to a social networking website in accordance with another
embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method in which contact
between persons is facilitated using a website embodying the disclosure.

[0014]FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a system for facilitating social
networking in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a system for facilitating social
networking in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] A social networking website embodying the present disclosure is
referred to herein, for convenience only, as "streetfriend.com."

[0017] In an embodiment, the social networking site associates personal
information of a member of the site with that member's license plate
number. When an individual becomes a member of the site, s/he receives an
identifier (e.g. an ID number) related to his/her license plate. As shown
in FIG. 1A, a bumper sticker 12 placed on the member's vehicle 10
(preferably close to the license plate 11) advertises that the
driver/owner of the vehicle is a member of the social networking site. If
someone then wants to connect with that vehicle's owner, they may make a
note of the license plate number, go to the streetfriend.com URL and can
connect with that person.

[0018] Alternatively, if a member of the streetfriend.com site does not
want to have their license plate used, a random membership number may be
created that can be written on the sticker. The member then may place the
sticker in any desired location on their vehicle (see FIG. 1B). In this
embodiment, the member's streefriend.com identifier is independent of the
license plate number; accordingly, a prospective contact person would
need to make a note of the member's id number from the sticker, and then
visit the URL streetfriend.com to connect with the streetfriend.com
member.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a flowchart with steps in a method carried out by a
provider or administrator of the streetfriend.com site, in accordance
with an embodiment of the disclosure. A person desiring to participate
(that is, a prospective new member of the site) logs onto the site (step
20) and proceeds to provide various items of information about
him/herself. The site receives the new member's information, and
establishes a profile for the member based on that information (step 21).
The site then generates an identifier (ID number) for the member, and (if
desired) associates that identifier with a vehicle plate number in the
member's profile; the site delivers an appropriate sticker to the member
(step 22). The sticker may be delivered to the member offline (e.g. a
physical bumper sticker sent by mail), may simply be presented to the
member as a downloadable image which the member prints on a suitable
(e.g. weather-resistant, adhesive) medium, or available via a retail
channel.

[0020] As noted above, the member's streetfriend.com ID number may be
linked to the member's license plate number, in which case (221) no other
identifier need be advertised on the sticker. If the member's
streetfriend.com ID number is not linked to the license plate number,
then (222) the member's ID number (or another number associated with the
ID number in the member's profile) is added to the sticker.

[0021] A person viewing the advertisement (step 223) and wishing to make
contact with the member visits the website (step 224); the site receives
the contact person's information if the contact person is not already a
member, (step 23) and establishes a profile for that person based on the
received information. Advantageously, the contact person is treated as a
new member, so that the contact person's information becomes a new member
profile on the streetfriend.com site (that is, a person wishing to make
contact with a member is required to also join the site as a new member).
The site then provides social networking data (step 24); that is, the
site delivers information to the contact person for use in making a
social connection with the member. Generally, the social networking data
includes personal information regarding the member which the member has
authorized to be shared with contacts visiting the site. At the minimum,
said social networking data will confirm that the member is in fact a
member of the website. In an embodiment, the site also causes a report to
be sent to the member (step 25) alerting the member that the contact
person has made a query to the site regarding the member. This report may
include a personal message from the contact person along with the contact
person's membership profile for the member's review. This report may be
sent to the member by a means specified by the member (email, text
message, etc.). Based on the member's review of the contact person's
member profile, the member may make a social networking connection with
the contact person via the means provided for on the website (step 26).

[0022] It will be understood that the member and the contact person may
each access the streetfriend.com site using a variety of devices, both
fixed (e.g., desktop, kiosk) or portable (e.g. PDA, phone, etc.).

[0023]FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a system for implementing
streetfriend.com, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The
streetfriend.com site 36 is hosted on a server 35; member profiles and
other data may be stored on a storage device 37 external to the server.
As described above, information on a bumper sticker 32 of a vehicle owned
by member 31 is associated with the member's profile and with social
networking data the member 31 has authorized to be shared with
prospective contact persons. A prospective contact person 33 makes note
of the information on bumper sticker 32, and then accesses site 36 on
server 35 via the Internet 100, using any convenient device.

[0024] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a system by which streetfriend.com
members may connect with each other, according to another embodiment of
the disclosure. In this embodiment, a member 41 is provided with a simple
recording device 42 (e.g. a small tape, or flash drive recording device
for keeping on a key chain or dashboard) that is suitable and safe for
quick use while driving a vehicle. Member 41, wishing to make note of the
information on bumper sticker 32 belonging to member 31, may then speak
the license plate number or ID number of member 31 into a recorded
message while driving, and then visit the streetfriend.com site to look
up member 31 at a convenient time.

[0025] While the disclosure has been described in terms of specific
embodiments, it is evident in view of the foregoing description that
numerous alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to
encompass all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall
within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and the following claims.